AO1 National policies

AO1 National Policies

The national polices are produced by the central government. The Department for Education and Sciences (DFES) is responsible for all aspects of education.

The children act 1989:

This act gave children care and protection. It gave children care at home and helped children whom have problems at home. E.g. parents are separated. It also gave child-protection care outside of the home. Local authorities are responsible of carrying out this act. Some services are provided free from the council.

These services are there to help children who are:

Disabled
Unlikely to have reasonable standard of heath without services from local authorities
Unlikely to progress in health or development with/without services from local authorites.

This act distinguishes who will go under this act by using a ‘needs assessment’. A social worker will then talk to the family of the special needs child informing them how the services will help the whole family.

Services provided are:

short break services
holiday play schemes
care at home
some aids and adaptations
financial help (for example to pay for fares to hospital visits)

Children act 2004

This act raised awareness of issues relating to children and young people. It checked the provisions to see how they listen to children and how it could be improved. Key agencies were called to improve the children’s well- being. This act provides the legal frame work for the reform setting via The Green paper and every child matters.

This act provides help for all children no matter what their background is, in order to support these needs:

be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve through learning
make a positive contribution to society
achieve ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Children act 2004

This act provides help for all children no matter what their background is, in order to support these needs:

be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve through learning
make a positive contribution to society
achieve economic well-being

This act provides for the children and their families. This means:

Easier access to information and advice services at a local level
Earlier support for parents experiencing difficulties
Practitioners from Social Services and Education working together in teams
One point of contact for information and assessment
The statutory requirement for Children and Young People’s Plan will identify priorities across all organizations with a responsibility for children and young people in the whole of Hampshire
Ensure the welfare and safety for children and young people who may be at risk

Every child matters:

This act covers all children from birth to 19years old. This is done through the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity services. This service is to keep health, family support, Childcare and education services. This is so all children have the opportunity to have a great start in life. This act aims to meet these five outcomes:

Being healthy
staying safe
Enjoying and achieving
Making a positive contribution
Achieving economic well being

In order to meet their aims, schools, hospitals, police and voluntary groups will come together and find new ways of helping children and young people by working together. The team will help protect and help them achieve what they want in life. This act aims to “maximise opportunity and minimise risk.”

National Childcare Strategy:

This act aims to provide good quality early years provision. It aims to increase the amount of after school clubs and homework clubs. It also includes plans to make childcare more affordable. This will increase the amount of childcare facilities available. This acts aims to help children aged 0 to 14 OR up to 16 for those who have special needs. It gives them accessible, affordable and quality childcare.

The aims are being carried out by Local Authorities and their Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs). They are responsible for delivery and developing provision at a local level. Local Authority EYDCPs and their Children’s Information Services give out information on childcare provision to those in their area. The national Childcare Link gives advice to parents/careers and has produced a national website and free phone line.

Early year’s curriculum:

This curriculum is outlined by the DFES and sets out the skills and knowledge that needs to be taught. It also gives the ages of when each skill should be learnt. Ofsted checks to see if the care workers are using an appropriate curriculum.

The early year’s curriculum promotes:

emotional, personal and social development

Allows the children to find friends and improve language skills by talking. They learn how to share and gain awareness of others feelings.

communication and language

The children learn to read, write and improve vocabulary.

knowledge and understanding of the world

Children are encouraged to ask questions. It prepares them for secondary seduction.

Expressive and aesthetic development

Allows children to express their emotions and feelings.

physical development and movement

Increase their stamina, lets of steam. Increase coordination and self esteem.

Mathematics

The children are supported to develop mathematical ideas and use related vocabulary while taking part in sorting, matching, ordering, counting, pattern making and working with numbers, shapes and measures.

Foundation Stage Curriculum:

This is the first stage of the curriculum. It focuses on the needs of children aged 3 up until the end of reception or primary school. It is a large and balanced curriculum. There are many different settings the child can go attend. But the careers or parents choose the setting dependent on: